“You zink Mr. Farrel perhaps can raise in one year the money to redeem property?” he demanded.

“I haven’t the slightest information as to his money-raising ability, other than the information given me by that man Pablo has just locked up.  If, as Loustalot informed me, Farrel has a judgment against him, he is extremely liable to raise a hundred thousand or more to-day, what with funds in bank and about fifteen thousand sheep.”

“I zink Farrel not very lucky to-day wiz sheep, Mr. Parker.”

“Well, whether he’s lucky or not, he has our deal blocked for one year.  I can do nothing now until title to this ranch is actually vested in me.  I am morally certain Farrel will never redeem the property, but—­well, you realize my predicament, Mr. Okada.  Our deal is definitely hung up for one year.”

“Very great disappointment!” Okada replied sadly.  “Next year, I zink California legislature make new law so Japanese people have very much difficulty to buy land.  Attorneys for Japanese Association of California very much frightened because they know Japanese treaty-rights not affected by such law.  If my people can buy this valley before that law comes to make trouble for Japanese people, I zink very much better for everybody.”

“But, my dear Mr. Okada, I cannot make a move until Miguel Farrel fails to redeem the property at the expiration of the redemption period, one year hence.”

“Perhaps that sheeps-man kill Mr. Farrel,” Okada suggested, hopefully.  “I hoping, for sake of Japanese people, that sheeps-man very bad luck for Mr. Farrel.”

“Well, I wouldn’t care to have him for an enemy.  However, I dare say Farrel knows the man well enough and will protect himself accordingly.  By the way, Farrel is violently opposed to Japanese colonization of the San Gregorio.”

“You zink he have prejudice against Japanese people?”

“I know it, Mr. Okada, and, for that reason, and the further reason that our deal is now definitely hung up for a year, I suggest that you return to El Toro with me this afternoon.  I am no longer master here, but I shall be delighted to have you as my guest at the hotel in El Toro while you are making your investigations of the property.  I wish to avoid the possibility of embarrassment to you, to Mr. Farrel, and to my family.  I am sure you understand our position, Mr. Okada.”

The potato baron nodded, scowling slightly.

XV

At a point where the road, having left the valley and climbed a grade to a mesa that gave almost an air-plane view of the San Gregorio, Miguel Farrel looked back long and earnestly.  For the first time since entering the car, at Kay Parker’s invitation, he spoke.

“It’s worth it,” he announced, with conviction, “worth a fight to a finish with whatever weapons come to hand.  If I—­ By the holy poker!  Sheep!  Sheep on the Rancho Palomar!  Thousands of them.  Look!  Over yonder!”